Children’s Health Tips

Your
choices as a parent begin before your child is even born. From what to feed
them to how to discipline, parenting seems to be one choice after another. The
choices you make regarding your child’s health will affect them throughout
their life. These are decisions best made with plenty of thought and
information. Here are some general tips on making healthy parenting
choices.

Make a Breast-Feeding Decision

Breast-feeding is a wonderful
way for you and baby to bond while you give them the most all-natural nutrition
possible. But breast-feeding isn't for everyone. It requires a lot of time,
dedication, devotion to healthy eating, and all-hour feedings. Work with your
doctor to make a decision about what's best for you and your child.

Provide Natural Foods

Processed
foods are often full of sugar, sodium, unhealthy fats, and calories. Avoid
making meals for your children using the fake stuff, and opt for:

fresh fruits and vegetables

whole grains

lean cuts of meat

fresh fish

poultry

fiber-rich foods like beans and leafy greens

Here’s a
tip for grocery shopping: Shop the perimeter of the store where the fresh foods
are. Avoid the inside aisles where many of the processed foods reside.

Eat the Alphabet

Nearly all
children get plenty of vitamins — A, B, C, D, etc. — in the foods they eat
every day. A multivitamin is not generally necessary for children. Simply pack
meals with vitamin-rich foods. Talk to your pediatrician about a daily multivitamin
if you are concerned.

Avoid the "Clean Plate" Rule

Your
grandmother had the best intentions for you when she wouldn't let you leave the
table before you finished your broccoli, but the truth is that your child knows
when he or she is full and needs to stop eating. When children say they don't
want any more, they probably aren't trying to skip out on their vegetables;
their bodies are just letting them they've had enough. Overeating could lead to
unwanted weight gain.

Get Them Off the Couch

According to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and
quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. In 2012, nearly 18 percent of
children in the United States ages 6 to 11 were obese. Physical activity is
very important for children. It sets the stage for a lifetime of health and
nutrition. Public health experts recommend 60
minutes of daily physical activity for children.

Team or
individual sports are a great way to encourage physical activity. Outside a
structured sports setting, motivate your children to spend more time playing
than sitting. Plan family activity nights or set up play dates with neighbors.

Baby Their Skin

Summers are
for kids, but summer sun isn't. Ultraviolet (UV) light can damage the skin and
increase chances for developing skin cancer later in life. Babies younger than
six months should avoid direct sunlight if at all possible. (If being in the
sun is unavoidable, use sunscreen with formulas designed for babies or kids.)
Babies over six months and all children should wear a sunscreen with a sun
protection factor of at least 30. Reapply every two hours or more frequently if
your child is sweating or in the water.

Create a Healthy Smile

Good dental and oral
health goes
beyond cavity-free teeth. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, tooth decay is the most
common chronic childhood disease. Tooth decay can lead to problems with
speaking and learning if left untreated. Fluoride can almost completely
eliminate tooth decay in young children., Your children should receive a
fluoride treatment at each of their semiannual cleanings. If your tap water
doesn't have fluoride, ask your dentist about other ways to get fluoride.